I ACCEPT! Rika Returns and Performs Brutal Fusion in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 17
RIKA'S RETURN! In Chapter 17 of Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo we witness a shocking fusion between Tsurugi and Rika.
Chapter 17 opens with a flashback that gives us important insight into Tsurugi and his family’s background. While reading old notes, Tsurugi repeats the same sentence that Megumi once said — about a father who left. It is revealed that Iori chose to disappear when Yuka was born; his motive was not out of hatred, but because he refused to raise his child as a “weapon.” It seemed like Iori’s attempt to break the cycle of family violence, a move parallel to Toji’s decision regarding his own child.
Amid those flashback snippets, a brief surprising scene appears: a servant sees someone looking towards a scarred man who boldly lowers his hood. There are brief words, “it doesn’t matter.” The figure is clearly recognized as Yuji Itadori, indicating that the involvement of the main character is still felt even though this chapter’s focus shifts to Tsurugi and Yuka.
The core fight of this chapter happens between Tsurugi and Maru. Tsurugi admits how difficult it is to understand Maru’s technique — an acknowledgment of his limitations compared to Yuka. When Maru seems on the verge of victory, Tsurugi refuses to give up. Instead of choosing a noble death, he risks everything for a small hope—though only 1%—to save Yuka. For Tsurugi, Yuka’s safety is more important than his own honor: a very human and touching moment.
In a dying state, Tsurugi briefly thought the figure before him was his grandfather, Yuta. But the voice heard then carried a mocking tone, “He really fell in love with that woman,” referring to Yuta and Maki’s relationship. From here we are reintroduced to a long-awaited figure: Rika.
Rika’s return is one of the big moments of this chapter — the legendary shikigami appears after 68 years. Rika’s help comes with the condition that only after Yuta’s words of request are spoken and there is emotional coercion, Rika agrees to get involved. Rika’s presence surprises Maru because the amount of cursed energy emitted is tremendous. Rika then envelops Tsurugi’s body, transforming into a form that merges with him — that is the Tsurugi-Rika fusion.
